The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-15
In the House.

The House met at o o'clock this morning
The bill of Mr. Gambler, of Dekalb, to pay
to Mrs. A. E. Word the full per diem of the
late Senator E. NJ. Word was recommitted
The special order was taken up. 1t was
the bill by Mr. McCord, of Richmond, to
fix and regulate the hours of labor in all
cotton and woollen manufactures, so as to
provide for only ten hours of work per day.
Mr.. McCord supported the bill in well
defined line of argument. He said the State
was committed to the policy of the bill,
Georgia has always taken an interest in
everything beneficial to her people. He
cited the laws of several States in support
of the bill In Connecticut and California
the eight-hour law is in vogue. In Mary
land the ten-hour law is in force The laws
of several States were read in regard to the
age which children must attain before
working in manufacturing establishments,
and also those affecting the employment Of
females
A message was received from the Cover
nor at this iuncture, announcing approval
of the following acts:
To appropriate $4,000 for completing the
Georgia Institute for the Deaf and Dumb.
To establish a system of public schools in
the city of Covington.
To incorporate the Norjh and South
Short Railway Company.
To extend the limits of Atlanta, so as to
put Piedmont Park under police reglIla-
tio
DEMANDED BY THE PEOPLE.
Mr.. Lamar, of Richmond, said it had
been argued that the bill under discussion
was unconstitutional and radically wrong
This was untrue. The people demanded it,
and they were always conservative. The
bill should pass, for the fact that it affects
females and children, if for nothing else
the Eagle and Phoenix Mills, at Columbus,
who would be much benefited.
Mr. Harrell-If the Legislature has the
power to regulate the hours of work, has it
not also the power TO regulate wagesf
Mr.. LAMAR think not. We cannot
regulate wages, but we can fix the hours of
work The bill does not come in contact
with wages. No nation can thrive in manu-
featuring that does not look to protection of
the 'bone and snew." If such manufactur-
ing States as Massachusetts,, Rhode Island,
New York, and others have tried this ten
hour law" and it has worked so well, it
does seem that it would work well in
Georgia II we pass this bill the cream of
labor will flock into the State.
Mr. Gamble, of jefferson, thought that
the work should be left optional. He was
willing to limit the work of all under 10
years to ten hours but oil Others should be
allowed to WORK as tney saw ub. III we pass
this bill the next Legislature will be asked
to regulate work on farms, and the next one
will be asked to regulate the hours of den
fists, and finally classes will be asking for
regulations.
Mr. Harrell, of Webster, thought this bill
the most mischievous law brought before
the House He did not see how the Legis-
lature had the right to make legislation of
this kind for any class. 1t is just as right
and proper to take up any other class and
tell them they can work but ten hours. If
this bill is right, why should it be applied to
employees in factories and not to the farming
interests; Labor should be free. IL ought
not to belong to any corporation or
firm. It is free. We should let
every person do his own contracting
and work just as many hours day as he
pleases The bill places one class of citi-
zens in different attitude from other
classes If the Legislature passes this bill it
will not be two years until every class will
be here demanding the passage of the "ten-
hour law"
Mr.. Wheeler moved that when the House
adiourns it be to meet at 1880 o'clock
tonight Pending this the House adjourned.